In 1918 Mr. Browning was issued a patent for this invention from the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). There are 3 documents included with this patent. The drawing specification sheet of the patent has been reproduced from original USPTO documents and printed onto parchment paper. This print is sized and ready to install into an 8" x 10" frame. The additional sheets included are printed on 5.50" x 8.50" parchment paper. These accompanying documents describe the scope of this invention in formal terms. The following is an actual excerpt from the patent…

       " Be it known that I, JOHN M. BROWING, a citizen of the United States, residing in Ogden in the county of Weber and State of Utah, have invented, certain new and useful improvements in Firearms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof. The main object of the invention is to produce a firearm of this class which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, reliable, and safe under all conditions of use. Another object of the invention is to produce an automatic pistol specially adapted for accurate target practice, by having the handle or grip of the pistol formed to be securely grasped and conveniently held In aiming and firing, and in which the frame of the arm shall support the comparatively long barrel rigidly, and in which the breech slide may be at will and readily detached and removed from the frame, and be replaced and attached upon the same without requiring the use of any tool therefore"…